12-05-2025
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY: The light must keep on burning
INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY: The light must keep on burning
VANDERBIJLPARK – As the world pauses to honour the real heroes in scrubs, Ster took a trip to Johan Heyns to chat with two angels [nurses] who keep the light of healthcare burning.
Every year on May 12, International Nurses Day commemorates the birth of Florence Nightingale, the pioneer who revolutionised healthcare.
But in the heart of Vanderbijlpark, her legacy lives on in the hearts of local nurses like Malerato Mosikare and Rebecca Phasha.
With more than 20 years in the profession, Mosikare is no stranger to the hustle of hospital life as she has experienced both public and private sectors.
Sounding calm, passionate, and accomplished, the 54-year-old recalled the moment she fell head over heels for nursing.
'Nursing has always been a calling. Even growing up, I always showed signs of caring for others. I wanted to be a tutor in nursing, and that dream remains in the pipeline,' she said.
Having worked at Care Cure, Mediclinic, Baragwanath, and Johan Heyns, serving in different departments, Mosikare now focuses more on mothers and their children.
'The love of assisting clueless mothers in their journey until they carry their products in their arms led me to this department,' she added.
While Mosikare continues to enjoy her passion, she claims it's not all rosy in the health sector.
Sharing challenges she faces in her career, she admits that the job comes with sacrifices and dispiriting flaws.
'This profession is no longer the same and leaves some nurses demotivated. Nurses are losing themselves.
Nursing used to be a profession of high dignity, but now it's no longer like that. But we have to keep the light burning,' she said.
In a different interview, Rebecca Phasha (30), a fresh face in the field with a fire for healing and a family tree rooted in nursing, also shared how she ended up as a nurse.
'I've always been drawn to compassion and helping people.'
Armed with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing and courage, Phasa painted a picture of modern nursing challenges.
'We're fighting on two fronts – patient care and personal survival. This industry is demanding. We have an immense staff shortage, and the population we are treating is growing. We are burnt-out, however, we strive to provide quality care,' she said.
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